After facing significant delays, the strychnine use window in Alberta and Saskatchewan officially commenced this Wednesday. Farmers now have the opportunity to utilize the controversial rodenticide to manage Richardson’s ground squirrels, commonly referred to as gophers, until September 1. However, challenges arise due to limited quantities and concerns regarding the product’s effectiveness at this late stage in the year.
Strychnine was granted authorization for controlled and time-limited emergency use in Alberta and Saskatchewan after extensive advocacy by both provinces. This approval came after Health Canada prohibited its use two years ago due to environmental risks. According to the Alberta government, gopher infestations pose a yearly risk of over $800 million to hay and pastures in the province.
Under the Pest Control Products Act, the emergency use authorization permits producers in Alberta and Saskatchewan to employ strychnine until November 2027, but within strict seasonal windows. The anticipated spring application window from March 1 to June 15 was missed due to supply chain challenges faced by Agromax, the sole authorized manufacturer of strychnine in Canada.
Eligible municipalities in Alberta and Saskatchewan now have access to the product, although demand surpasses supply in many cases. Wheatland County and Flagstaff County have resorted to lottery systems to determine which producers can purchase strychnine. Conversely, the Municipal District of Wainwright in east-central Alberta announced it would not offer strychnine this year due to the late season and limited availability.
Shelby Oracheski, Wainwright’s agricultural fieldman, emphasized that the optimal time to use such products is before the spring green-up, as bait becomes less attractive to pests when alternative food sources emerge. The current July to September application window coincides with a period when many gophers enter estivation, a state similar to hibernation triggered by extreme heat.
Oracheski mentioned that 71 producers completed the necessary strychnine training in the municipality, but inquiries have dwindled due to concerns about efficacy. The aim is to retain the strychnine for the next year to ensure a full season of use. Efforts are underway to extend the special use approval for another year, as this season is somewhat considered a “write-off.”
Alexandre Bergeron, spokesperson for the federal minister of health, emphasized the government’s commitment to supporting farmers and the agricultural sector. However, concerns persist regarding the environmental impact of strychnine use, as it was previously a primary gopher control solution before being phased out by the federal government in 2020.
The potent neurotoxin was eventually banned in 2024 due to environmental risks, including potential impacts on at-risk species like swift foxes and burrowing owls. Conservation specialist Ruiping Luo highlighted the cascading effects of strychnine use up the food chain, affecting unintended species. Health Canada’s re-evaluation revealed that more strychnine was used than the retrieved poisoned carcasses, indicating potential environmental contamination.
Luo noted the unintentional deaths of dogs as a significant consequence of strychnine use. Despite the new program’s strict requirements and protocols, concerns remain about the decision lacking scientific evidence to mitigate known risks. The Alberta government suggests alternative solutions for gopher control, including legal pesticides, fumigation, and promoting predator activity as more sustainable options for farmers.
